Caring tips for helping distressed people

Careful listening is the key to helping someone who may be thinking about taking their own life, says psychologist Jaelea Skehan, the driving force behind the new Conversations Matter website.

Some of the worst things people can do is to try and fix the problem or gloss over the person's feelings.

"The last thing you want to be told when you are experiencing psychological distress is that it is not so bad or you will feel better tomorrow," says Ms Skehan, director of the Hunter Institute, a NSW-based suicide prevention charity.

The response to the website had been overwhelming, she said, with close to 10,000 visitors clicking on www.conversationsmatter.com.au during the first week.

"Most want to find out how to help others or to get information for themselves."

The site features online presentations with audio commentary, factsheets and podcasts and is aimed at families, health professionals and organisations like schools and businesses.

So far the focus is on people worried about others, how to facilitate group discussions and dealing with bereaved people, including children.

"The most popular section by far is the one about how to talk to a person you are worried about," said Ms Skehan.

New sections planned for early 2014 would focus on how to talk to young people as well as content aimed specifically at Aboriginal people.

"In many ways, talking about suicide is the same as talking about any important but sensitive issue. It is better to talk about it than to avoid it," she said.

"As a community, we need to ensure we are not too afraid to talk about suicide, while making sure the conversations we have are informed, safe and helpful."

* Readers seeking urgent support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467.